Aintree’s Grand National meeting will open with an exciting renewal of the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl on Thursday, with twelve entries including Cheltenham Gold Cup second Gerri Colombe.

The Irish-trained contender will be joined by fellow compatriot Hewick, who was withdrawn from the Gold Cup after the conditions were deemed too soft by trainer Shark Hanlon. Another Gold Cup absentee, Shishkin, heads the home defence with trainer Nicky Henderson hoping stable fortunes are in reverse after having to withdraw the majority of Festival runners due to a virus.

The top three in the market will be joined by Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat, the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame and Lucinda Russell's Ahoy Senor. Other intriguing entries include the National Hunt Chase hero Corbetts Cross, and Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge, who would not have been suited by the wet conditions on his previous run at Cheltenham.

Twelve have been entered for the Aintree Hurdle and it remains an exciting contest, despite the absence of leading hurdler Constitution Hill. Ireland appears to hold the aces, with Gordon Elliott's Champion Hurdle second Irish Point set to take on Bob Olinger, who opted to skip the Festival in favour of this race. The pair will be joined by Impare Et Passe, who also comes into the race fresh and Champion Hurdle third Luccia.

In the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, Nicky Henderson's Sir Gino will be searching for Grade 1 honours after stable form meant the exciting hurdler was forced to miss the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival. He will face Kargese and Nurburgring, who finished second and fourth respectively in the race.